Examples of Expansion
Lately, we've been discussing the expansion of God's kingdom here in the world while considering the petition from The Model Prayer, "thy kingdom come." This brings us to an interesting study: When the church grew in the Book of Acts, what happened directly prior to and during the seasons of growth? In this message, pastor Ben Winslett considers these "examples of expansion" as food for thought for us today.
Radio broadcast for September 9, 2018.
A Healthy Church Culture
As a continuation of last week's radio program, Pastor Winslett speaks from Acts chapter 2 concerning a healthy church culture.
Radio broadcast for September 2, 2018
Thy Kingdom Come
Tying in thoughts from our current sermon series, Pastor Winslett speaks on the petition, "Thy kingdom come," as found in the Model Prayer. In short, every disciple should be concerned with the spiritual condition of the church in general, which begins with health of the local church.
Radio broadcast for August 26, 2018
When God's Name is Hallowed
When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, one of the statements He instructed them to say was "hallowed be Thy name." While the utterance of this phrase is an act of worship and praise, it is also a petition that God's name would be sanctified (regarded as Holy) in the Earth. This presents an interesting question to consider: What does it look like when God's name is hallowed? Listen to learn more.
Radio broadcast for August 19, 2018
The Importance of Prayer
Prayer is absolutely crucial for the disciple of Christ. In fact, we are taught in scripture "always to pray, and never to faint." And, to "pray without ceasing." Because God is the Sovereign King of kings and Lord of lords, and because He loves us, we trust Him to answer our prayers according to His will. Fervent prayer impacts the world around us!
Radio broadcast for August 12, 2018
As Many As Our Lord Shall Call
In Acts chapter 2, Peter said "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."
In this program, we first examine the context of Peter's statement before considering this blessed exhortation and the connected promise itself.
Radio broadcast for August 5, 2018
God's Creative Force
When God created the Universe, he required no engineers, construction crews, or tools; He merely spoke it into existence. Likewise, when Jesus raised Lazarus or Jairus' daughter from the dead, He merely spoke and they returned to life. These examples clearly depict the means of power God employs when He acts in our world: His Voice. That is to say, Divine fiat or decree.
Join Pastor Winslett for this study of God's creative force and how it relates to our personal salvation.
Radio broadcast for July 29, 2018
How Does God Reward Us?
The writer of Hebrews wrote that God is a "rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). This language should prompt us to ponder the blessings of God, specifically what God's rewards actually look like. Initially, one might expect wealth or an easy life as a divine reward. However, from the context, we learn that God's rewards look quite different than many of the temporal blessings people often covet. Join us for this episode of Words of Grace to learn more!
Radio broadcast for July 22, 2018.
Take Up Your Cross!
In our last broadcast, we considered biblical topics which were both monergistic (God only) and synergistic (God plus man). In this episode of Words of Grace, we continue our study of things synergistic, namely, taking up our crosses to follow Christ. To a first century person in the Roman Empire, the cross was an unforgettable symbol of shame and death. How does this translate into the Christian walk? Listen to learn more.
Radio broadcast for July 15, 2018
Monergism and Synergism
Monergism or synergism? To many believers, those words may "sound like Greek." But these rarely used terms are simply defined and understood. Monergism refers to something that is the work of one alone (mono). Synergism is the work of more than one together.
Is our salvation monergistic or synergistic? What about discipleship or mortification? In this broadcast, Pastor Winslett speaks to biblical concepts which are monergistic and also synergistic.
Our Righteousness
Am I good enough? Have I done enough? Am I worth anything? These are haunting questions many people struggle with each day. Join us for this broadcast in which we study our identity in Jesus Christ, through His merciful grace.
Radio broadcast for July 1, 2018.
Calling and Election
To make your calling and election sure, as Peter exhorted, must first mean that you are called and elected. Pastor Winslett recently expounded on these two doctrines, election and the effectual call, in a part of his series through 2 Peter. We share a portion of this on today's broadcast.
Radio broadcast for June 24, 2018
Reverence
It's arguable that reverence for Almighty God is one of the most neglected spiritual disciplines among western believers. In this broadcast, Pastor Winslett speaks to the issues of reverencing and fearing God, as well as providing some tips on fostering a reverential attitude towards the Lord.
Radio broadcast for June 17, 2018
Knowing God
Peter writes that by God's Divine power and righteousness, through Jesus Christ, we have come to know God. As quickened souls, we are partakers of the divine nature. In today's broadcast, we share a portion of last Sunday's sermon from 2 Peter chapter 1, entitled "Knowing God."
Radio broadcast for June 10, 2018
The Ordinances: Baptism and The Lord's Supper
In the New Testament Church, the Lord Jesus has given us two ordinances to be kept by the church until His return: Baptism and The Lord's Supper (or Communion). Both of these ordinances show His death in a powerful way. At the same time, the keeping of these grant a closeness to God and dispensation of grace to the participant.
Radio broadcast for June 3, 2018
Regeneration and Conversion
Pastor Winslett writes, "A friend recently asked me to describe to him the differences in regeneration and conversion. Though many today might equate them as one and the same, the Bible presents them as distinct concepts. Many historic theologians recognized this distinction as well, as do we today."
Radio broadcast for May 27, 2018
What of Those Who Fall Away?
Sad as it is, sometimes Christians fall from their steadfastness. When this happens, what does it mean? Generally speaking, the loudest voices among Christian leaders would insist upon one of two realities: Either a person who falls loses their salvation, or they never had it to begin with. Popular as either of those ideas are, what does the Bible specifically say about this issue? Join us for a biblical examination of this concept.
Radio broadcast for May 20, 2018
Synergy In The Godhead
Of the most important and fundamental theological concepts, the doctrine of the Trinity ranks supreme. That is, the Godhead is a tri-unity of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. In this message, we consider the fact that there is a perfect synergy between the three persons of the Godhead. This is depicted clearly in the ministry of Jesus Christ, but is also a factor in our daily lives and even our eternal salvation.
Radio ministry for May 13, 2018.
Does God Ever Tempt Us?
Temptations are a part of the human experience. No matter who you are or where you are, there will be times in which you are tempted to do evil. Sometimes, folks may wonder, "is God tempting me?" In this broadcast, we answer that question definitively from the Word of God.
Radio broadcast for May 6, 2018
A Prayer for Utterance
As Paul concludes his epistle to the church at Ephesus, he ends it with one final appeal: Pray for me. Incarcerated at the time, you would expect Paul to request prayer for his release. Or perhaps, an ease to his sufferings. But rather than pray for his freedom or comfort, Paul simply asks that they pray for his opportunity and ability to preach the gospel.
Radio broadcast for April 29, 2018
The Armor of God
Have you ever seen pictures of a Centurion? I am sure imagery of helmets, chestplates, and shields come to mind. But did you know there is a set of armor the Christian is to wear? Join Pastor Ben Winslett in this study of the Armor of God, from Ephesians chapter 6.
Radio broadcast for April 22, 2018
Servants and Masters
Continuing our series through Ephesians, we come to a rather sensitive subject Paul speaks to in Ephesians chapter 6: Servitude. In this message, Pastor Ben Winslett contrasts servitude as it was in the first century to the atrocious institution of slavery in the early United States. Even though the framework to which this admonition applies is no more in our culture, this passage is still very much relevant for employees and employers. The godly wisdom in these passages can introduce the peace of Christ into the workplace. Listen to learn more.
Radio broadcast for April 15, 2018
Parents and Children
Ah, parenting! It's such a wonderful source of joy. At the same time, it can be very stressful and even in the best of times, exhausting. Continuing our recent series through the Book of Ephesians, we come to Paul's admonitions to children and parents. While nothing can take all the stress out of parents in this sin-cursed world, God's word provides the roadmap for the optimal framework for healthy children and a greater peace in the home.
Radio broadcast for April 9, 2018
A God-Honoring Marriage
Marriage is an institution of divine appointment. That is, in the beginning of time, God joined the first man and woman together as a union, for the purpose of companionship and also to fill the earth with people. This being so, how can we conduct our homes in such a way as to glorify God?
In this message, Pastor Winslett continues his series through Ephesians, coming to Paul's exhortations to husbands and wives in chapter 5.
Radio broadcast for April 1, 2018
The Joy of Singing
In today's radio program, from our continued series on the book of Ephesians, we consider the concept of an "altered state of perception." In specific, Paul exhorts us not to be "drunk with wine," but rather to be "filled with the Spirit" by singing praise to God. What an interesting contrast! The abuse of alcohol changes the mood and perspective of a drunkard, but generally for the worse. However, singing praise to God, lifts our spirits and alters our perception to the positive, unto righteousness and holiness!
Radio broadcast for March 25, 2018
Following God
Does your heart yearn to follow God? That's such a blessed indication that you're born of His Spirit. But, specifically, how does a person actually engage IN following God? In this message, we come to Ephesians chapter 4, in which Paul exhorts us to follow God as children, walking in love.
Radio broadcast for March 18, 2018
Putting Off the "Old Man"
One of the more interesting metaphors Paul used was "putting off the old man" and "putting on the new man." Simply put, after being saved and converted, we should discard our former behavior, as inherited from the nature of Adam, and engage in Christ-like behavior, as enabled through the new birth. We consider this expression in today's edition of Words of Grace.
Radio broadcast for March 11, 2018
Walking Worthy of our Vocation
Every single child of God is the recipient of a Divine calling. On one hand, the new birth is the call from death in sin to new life in Jesus Christ. But there are also various calls to action and service we experience throughout a life time. In this continuation of our study of Paul's epistle to the Ephesians, we come to the exhortation to walk worthy of our vocation.
Radio broadcast for March 4, 2018
Knowing the Love of God
Sometimes, in our minds, we constrain the love of God to the sort of love we experience as humans. In reality, the love of God is so great, so vast, and so powerful, that we cannot fully comprehend it. In this message, Pastor Winslett considers Paul's desire from Ephesians 3, that we would all know more of the height, depth, width, and length of God's love.
Radio broadcast for February 25, 2018
A Mystery Revealed
Today, it is commonly place for us to think of the Church as a "Gentile" institution. That is, New Testament worshipers are found in all nations, from all walks of life. But did you know, to many in the Old Testament, this was a foreign concept? In fact, Paul refers to this as a mystery hidden from the foundation of the world! If you know and serve Christ, this fact should cause your heart to rejoice.
Radio broadcast for February 18, 2018
The Middle Wall of Partition
Does God have the same love for Gentile Christians as He does Jewish Christians? Is there any advantage in the church for one of Jewish lineage over a Gentile? In this broadcast, Pastor Ben Winslett continues his study of Ephesians, coming to the comforting and encouraging lesson of our equality in Christ.
Radio broadcast February 11, 2018
Quickening: A Spiritual Resurrection
Most Christians are familiar with the concept of being "born again," but few seem to understand that the new birth is an act of Divine Quickening, a resurrection from death in trespasses and sins. Continuing our recent studies through the book of Ephesians, in this edition of Words of Grace, Pastor Ben Winslett comes to chapter 2, which contains perhaps the clearest language in all of the Bible about who we are prior to the new birth, and God's exclusive, sovereign role in regenerating us.
Radio broadcast for February 4, 2018
Trusting Christ
As the hymnwriter Louisa M. R. Stead wrote, "Tis so sweet, to trust in Jesus!" Our trust should be to His praise and glory. And further, when we first believe the gospel of our salvation, we are blessed with assurance of our deliverance from sin. Ben Winslett expounds on these encouraging concepts as he continues his study through the book of Ephesians on this edition of Words of Grace.
Radio broadcast for January 28, 2018.
Ephesians 1: Salvation is of the Lord
Some of the most plain, direct statements of God's grace towards man appear in Ephesians chapter 1. In verse 4, we're told God chose us to be holy and without blame before Him. In verse 5, we learn that we were predestinated by God as an adopted child. Then, verse 7 speaks to redemption through the blood of Christ. Join us for this first radio message in our series through Paul's writings to the Ephesians.
Radio broadcast for January 21, 2018
Acts: Our Pattern of Evangelism
We've spoken a lot about evangelism and the early church lately on Words of Grace. Today, we conclude these thoughts, once again in the book of Acts, looking to the daily practice of evangelism in the lives of first century preachers. Serious believers in America often lament the lack of effectiveness the church seems to have in our culture. Some times, we think the solution is political. However, our power has always been the Holy Ghost, and our the true gospel our force for change in society. May we return to our roots, and preach the gospel!
Radio broadcast for January 14, 2018
Finding Our Pattern
To do anything correctly, you need a pattern to follow. Not only is this a wise practice, it's also explicitly Biblical! In this broadcast, Pastor Ben Winslett draws our attention back to the book of Acts, where we find the pattern of New Testament preaching and practice.
Radio broadcast for January 7, 2018
Our Commission for 2018
The passing of a New Year gives us a great opportunity to stop and refocus our lives. While "New Year Resolutions" are a bit cliche in our culture, having a "break" in our timeline does give the occasion for a reboot of priorities and emphasis. Join Pastor Winslett in this exhortation to return to the Biblical priority of making disciples, along with the explanation of Christ's commission to the Apostles.
Radio broadcast for December 31, 2017
Primitive Baptist Distinctions
Each group among Christianity has distinct beliefs and practices. One of the most common questions people ask when learning we are Primitive Baptist is "what is the difference in a Primitive Baptist and other Baptists?" Listen to find out!
Radio program for June 1, 2014.